Medicinal Rule: A Historical Anthropology of Kingship in East and Central Africa

This book makes the argument that across equatorial Africa, the model of rule has been medicine, not the colonizers, despotic administrator, missionary's divine king, or Vansinas big man. It is based on ethnography-driven regional comparison and a critical re-examination of classic monographs on forty cultural groups.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 328 pages
\n Publication date: 07 September 2018
\n Publisher: Berghahn Books
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When Europeans first arrived on the African continent, they sought to find counterparts to their own kings, and in their search, they encountered significant misunderstandings that have persisted to this day. This groundbreaking volume, driven by ethnography and a critical re-examination of classic monographs on forty cultural groups, presents a compelling argument that across equatorial Africa, the model of rule has been centered around medicine, rather than the oppressive administrators, divine kings, or influential "big men" imposed by the colonizers.

In a vast region inhabited by speakers of Bantu and other languages within the Niger-Congo cluster, both cult and dynastic clan systems have relied on inherited fertility shrines, rainmaking charms, and drums. These cultural artifacts play a central role in their governance and societal structures, shaping the way individuals interact and communicate within these communities.

The author's analysis draws on extensive fieldwork and ethnographic research, providing a detailed and nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between medicine, rule, and cultural identity in equatorial Africa. By challenging prevailing narratives and offering a fresh perspective on the region's history, this volume contributes to our understanding of the complex and multifaceted dynamics that have shaped African societies over centuries.

In conclusion, this volume offers a groundbreaking exploration of the role of medicine in shaping the model of rule in equatorial Africa. Through a rigorous analysis of ethnographic data and a critical re-examination of historical texts, the author challenges traditional narratives and provides a fresh perspective on the complex and multifaceted history of the region. This work is essential for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in understanding the rich and complex tapestry of African societies.

\n Weight: 598g\n
Dimension: 160 x 236 x 25 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781785339844\n \n